Mary A. Abrams' Obituary
Mary Abrams, 96, died February 25, 2023, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Mary was born on January 3, 1927 in Slovakia (Czechoslovakia at the time). At age 3, Mary emigrated to the United States with her parents, Sophia and Michael Salaj.
Mary was raised in Homestead, Pa., where her father was a steelworker in the Homestead Steel Works. Mary's favorite childhood memory was running numbers for her landlady. If the beat police standing on Homestead corners ever suspected the little girl skipping by them on the street, they never let on. Mary was paid a dime for each successful delivery. Little as the money was, it helped put food on the table during difficult times for the family.
Around age 30, Mary married the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's legendary sports writer and editor, and Dapper Dan Charities founder, Al Abrams. Mary and Al lived in downtown Pittsburgh in the Carlton House Hotel. Mary's mother, Sophie, lived with the couple. Sophie was self-sufficient but as she aged, Mary, a devoted daughter, cared lovingly for her.
Mary traveled widely with Al for sports events, including the Olympics. She also developed relationships of her own with many athletes. One of her favorites was Pirate Hall of Fame right fielder Roberto Clemente, with whom she shared many meals.
A news buff and voracious reader, Mary was easy going, unpretentious, and quick witted. While
Al was an urbanite to the core, Mary also loved the country life, and during her marriage and afterward spent many happy hours in her West Virginia second home. After the Carlton House closed, Mary moved her primary residence to North Versailles. She moved from North Versailles in 2016 to Heritage Place.
Mary had no children or other surviving close relatives. But her memory will live on with her many close friends, including her Heritage roommate, Nancy Fadgen, and the Heritage staff members, who referred to her affectionately as "Miss Mary."
A graveside service will be held Friday, March 10th at 11:30 A.M. at Jefferson Memorial Park. Family and friends should meet at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh PA 15236 to be led to the gravesite.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary's memory to a charity of your choice.
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